Spotlight: Getting to know Burn the Floor's Kylee and Johannes

Burn the Floor: Fire in the Ballroom has audiences on their feet every night at the Baxter Theatre. Two of the international dancing stars that have everyone toe tapping and cheering along to this dance concert of note are the sensational South African performers Kylee Brown (KB) and Johannes Radebe (JR).

Kylee Brown and Stephen Vincent

Johannes Radebe and Megan Wragg

Theatre Scene just had to get to know this dynamic duo better and shine the spotlight on amazing South African talent. Here is what they had to say…

If you could only describe your personality to someone using three words, what would you say?

KB: Helpful, dedicated and passionate

JR: Passionate, fun and optimistic.

Who has either been your biggest supporter or most inspired you to follow dance dreams?

KB: My parents have been my biggest supporters. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today. They have helped me make all my dreams come true.

JR: My mentor Tebogo Kgobokoe

What is your fondest dance memory as a child?

KB: Winning the World Latin champion and British Champion title is my fondest memory. This is a dream for dancers all around the world and I couldn't be happier to have achieved this dream of mine.

JR: Performing at my primary school.

If you could only do one dance move for the rest of your life, what would it be?

KB: The Rumba walk. It is so basic yet so complex at the same time. It is the foundation of Latin dancing and I love how something so simple can be executed in so many ways.

JR: Drunken sailor

What experiences, professional or personal, have best prepared you for your current position as part of the Burn the Floor team?

KB: My competitive dance career has definitely prepared me for Burn The Floor as I am very use to rehearsing for hours and hours, being put through not only physical but mental obstacles too.

JR: The discipline and consistency from the competitive world as a latin dancer and extremely grateful for Strictly Come Dancing for creating a platform for showcasing our work.

Burn the Floor has the reputation of being the world’s toughest dance show. What has been the most challenging aspect for your Burn the Floor journey to date?

KB: I believe the most challenging thing apart from the physical and mental aspect is being away from family for long periods at a time. Yes we Skype and call and Facebook but there is nothing like spending a Sunday afternoon with people closest to your heart.

JR: Emotionally, physically and mentally this show is demanding because you're always touring but we survive because we love it, the only challenge for me is being away from family and friends for that long.

What advice do you have for aspirant dancers? Is anyone ever really too old to embrace their passion for dance?

KB: I do believe that you really need to love what you do and be willing to go though difficult times. The difficult times are what makes you strong as a person and it is what makes you grow and if one keeps pushing you will be where you need to end up in life. God has a plan for every single one of us and all one needs is Faith. No one is ever to old to embrace dance. Music and dance is a part of our culture and blood as South Africans.

JR: Believe and always work on your craft, be the best at what you do. Dance is a universal language understood by all ages, colour and creed anyone can embrace dance whenever wherever Having danced since the age of 8 and 11 respectively, and now being part of the Burn the Floor international cast of dance champions, where would you like your career to go from here? KB: I would love to grow with the company as much as possible, travel the world and represent my country to its best. I want the audience to feel what we feel when we dance. I want to gain as much knowledge as I can to bring it back to our country as I believe we have many talented artists out there that can make us proud.

JR: I would like to compete and represent South Africa internationally, tour with Strictly Come Dancing UK/USA and finally come home to develop and train dancers.

If you had to describe Cape Town’s character by reference of one dance type and song, what would that performance piece be? KB: I believe it that Cape Town is so diverse and unique. I see it representing many different styles and music pieces. Its beauty represents a Rumba, its passion represents a Paso, its culture is so vibrant and colourful it reminds me of a Samba and lastly its people are so friendly and lively that it reminds me of a Jive.

JR: Mambo/Salsa - Hot Hot Hot performance piece would be called beautiful vibrations.

Catch Kylee and Johannes on stage with the rest of the sexy and sassy Burn the Floor dancers at the Baxter Theatre until 5 June 2016. Book your tickets at Computicket.